Football News: What a difference a year makes for Manchester United

Image from: freelargeimages.com

So pre-season is over and what a difference a year makes. This time last year Manchester United were entering the season on the brink of civil war. Whilst our squad may not have changed significantly over the past 12 months two key positions have been strengthened and a new more energetic style of play implemented. With just under a week of the window remaining other additions haven't been discounted and hopefully we can add some quality to the team especially in midfield.

The most pleasing aspect of pre-season in my opinion must be the integration and development of the likes of Tuanzebe, Chong, Gomez and Greenwood. All have excelled on occasions and look more than capable of being important members of the first team squad.

I am pleased Ole appears to have implemented a more energetic, pressing game with a plan for actually trying to win the ball back rather than idly sitting deep and allowing the opposition to dictate possession.

Despite an encouraging pre-season our expectations must be tempered. I'm concerned that the likes of Matic and Mata don't have the stamina or mobility to implement Ole's style especially when they are selected in the same team together and I'm not convinced Martial has readily embraced Ole's new vision. I've watched all of our pre-season games and whilst Martial has attempted to work harder he still presses without the required enthusiasm or intensity offered by the likes of Rashford, Lingard or James. I can't help thinking his centre forward billing is more to compensate for his lack of effort and movement rather than than his coolness in front of goal. He's a player who frustrates me immensely because on his day he can be unplayable but he just doesn't play with the intensity or desire consistently enough to make him a truly world class performer. I think that unless he buys into our new approach he may find his game time limited especially if we sign Dybala and the emergence of other attacking options we have down the left hand side. James, Chong and Gomes have all impressed from the left during preseason. We still lack balance down the right and whilst AWB may add some width and attacking impetus his real strengths are in defending 1v1 situations. Without a recognised right winger/ forward our attacking play may still be somewhat one dimensional and until this position is addressed I'm not sure we'll be able to attack with the fluency or potency required to mount any serious assault on the top 2. Greenwood has perhaps performed most effectively from that position and whilst he remains somewhat of an unknown quantity maybe he deserves to start from the right and see what he can do.

In summary I think our defence has been significantly strengthened and this should provide the team with a solid foundation and consistently in selection we've been missing for years. All the players must embrace our new pressing game and play with the required intensity otherwise it will fall apart and teams will play through our press leaving us vulnerable at the back.

In my opinion Ole must be brave and select the players capable of executing his game plan. He must keep the energy and pace in the team and continue to trust in his new philosophy. I think we can benefit greatly from the exuberance and enthusiasm of youth but Ole must give these young players a chance and allow them to develop. Whilst the likes of Matic and Mata bring experience our game must be based upon mobility, movement, energy, pace and hard work if we are to have a successful season.

I'm still not sure we can make any meaningful predictions about where we'll finish until we know the exact makeup of the squad after the transfer window closes. Issues remain around the futures of Pogba and Lukaku but I feel we can enter the season with a sense of optimism and excitement. Roll on next Sunday.

Written by DLIB August 04 2019 14:51:30